[abclily]

It was noticed, years back, that African-American children did not do as well academically as all other children. So, it was decided that African-American children tended to chew on window sills. Therefore, the lead paint in the window sills must be the factor keeping African-American children from doing well academically. A whole lead-paint-test industry has arisen in real estate circles.

You ever chew on a window sill? You ever see a child chew on a window sill?

[hinckley buzzard]

Eating inappropriate or harmful nonfood substances is a disorder called "pica." It is well known to medical practitioners and is often found in malnourished low income populations.

Eating chips of plaster coated with lead paint has been one major example documented in the literature. Whether it has anything to do with this case is arguable, but pica is not a joke, and it is a genuine problem.